BXBX NOVEL Chapter 195 - One-Hundred and Ninety-Five: Undeserving
Shi Nian was the new son-in-law in everyone’s eyes. He and Yun Nan raised their wine glasses and toasted the neighborhood elders. The elders earnestly instructed him to take care of Yun Nan and solemnly entrusted her to him.
Some elders even had tears in their eyes; they were as reluctant to part with Yun Nan as if she were their daughter or granddaughter.
Shi Nian sincerely promised to treat Yun Nan well and take good care of her. After the toast, Yun Nan’s peers and juniors came over to challenge Shi Nian to a drinking contest.
Yun Nan facepalmed and softly sighed, “Why are they treating this like a couple of newly-weds’ bridal visit home?”
Fang Xi laughed. “Didn’t you think this would happen beforehand?”
Yun Nan frowned at her. “Why would it occur to me?” Deep down, she’d always Imown that her marriage with Shi Nian was fake. She’d never treated Shi Nian as her husband, so how could she have thought of this?
“You knew this might happen? Then why didn’t you remind me?” Yun Nan questioned lowly.
Fang Xi smiled but didn’t say anything. She looked at Shi Nian chatting with the townsfolk and lightly said, “Yun Nan, you should try to make your act more convincing. Look at how well Shi Nian is performing! Act natural, and don’t expose yourself in front of your fellow townsfolk.”
Yun Nan gritted her teeth and glared at Fang Xi. Shi Xiu ran over with a bowl and a piece of pork rib held in her chopsticks, saying, “Yun Nan, Fang Xi, these ribs are delicious!”
Fang Xi laughed and commented, ‘You’re such a foodie!” Shi Xiu didn’t mind and took a bite of the rib.
Affected by the warm atmosphere around her and a little drunk, Xiang Yang cheered up slightly and enviously remarked, “Yun Nan, you’re so lucky to be loved by so many people. I’m so envious of you.”
Yun Nan patted her shoulder and sat down beside her. “You don’t have to envy me. You have Shi Ke’s love, which makes you luckier than most.”
Xiang Yang’s eyes were unfocused as she smiled and uttered, “That’s right! No matter how far I go, Shi Ke will always wait for me to return. With him around, I have a home. No one can snatch him away!”
Despite her words, Yun Nan knew Xiang Yang hadn’t resolved her pent-up frustrations. Yun Nan could only go along with her and say, “That’s why you’re also a lucky person!”
Xiang Yang looked up at the starry sky and muttered, “Look! There are stars.”
Yun Nan also looked up. “Yeah, you can see the stars here in my hometown. I’ll take you to the mountaintop to stargaze someday. It’s quite beautiful up there.”
Tears rolled down Xiang Yang’s face. She wiped them away and smiled. “I haven’t had the chance to stargaze with Shi Ke before. They’re so beautiful.”
Yun Nan noticed Xiang Yang’s tears but didn’t say a word. Fang Xi also saw and exchanged glances with Yun Nan. Neither of them pointed it out.
Xiang Yang lifted her head inadvertently and wiped away her tears. She smiled and told two girls, “I drank a little too much. I want to go back and sleep now.” Yun Nan stood up. “Alright, I’ll walk you back.”
Fang Xi also got up. “I’ll do it. You can’t leave; you’re the guest of honor today.”
On the other side, Ye Kun saw Fang Xi and Xiang Yang were about to leave and quickly squeezed his way over to them. Fang Xi instructed him, “Stay with Shi Nian, and don’t let him drink too much. But don’t drink too much yourself. Take care of Yun Nan and Shi Nian.” Ye Kun obeyed and sat back down in his seat obediently.
Fang Xi brought Xiang Yang back to the noodle shop. Yun Nan had already tidied up the shop’s second floor, and the two rooms were just enough for them to stay in.
Fang Xi helped Xiang Yang up the stairs. She knew Xiang Yang wasn’t drunk but had something on her mind, so she didn’t say anything and just accompanied her silently. The two brushed their teeth, showered, and sat on the balcony to dry their hair. Fang Xi made a pot of fruit tea.
Xiang Yang chuckled, “This place is so nice. I really want to stay here and not leave.”
Fang Xi poured her a cup of tea and smiled. “Sounds good, then we’ll agree to retire here in the future.”
Xiang Yang laughed. “Why wait for retirement? Why not now?”
Fang Xi mock-glowered at her. “You wish! We’re just common mortals who haven’t paid off our debts in the mortal world yet. We don’t have the right to retire. ”
Xiang Yang was silent. She sipped her tea, and the two of them swayed in their rocking chairs. There was only the sound of rocking chairs creaking and the noises of unknown insects.
“Fang Xi, do you love Ye Kun?” Xiang Yang suddenly asked softly.
Fang Xi gave it some thought before answering, “Frankly speaking, I don’t love him, not yet. But that’s not to say I won’t love him in the future. Ye Kun knows this; he said he’ll wait for me to fall in love with him.”
Xiang Yang nodded. “When you do fall in love with Ye Kun, you’ll have this inexplicable fear of loss. You’ll always be afraid of losing him, losing his love. It’s quite agonizing.”
Fang Xi nodded in agreement. “Yeah, people often fear losing the things they love too deeply.”
Xiang Yang didn’t speak. Fang Xi smiled. “Shi Ke loves you very much. Your love is a two-way street, so there’s no way you’ll lose his love. Don’t let your
imagination run wild.”
“But I don’t deserve him.” Xiang Yang said softly..